…dedicated to inspiring a fascination in the Universe through research and education…
Christopher Fluke(with Sarah Maddison & Glen Mackie)
astronomy.swin.edu.au
Virtual Tours of the Universe
…dedicated to inspiring a fascination in the Universe through research and education…
March 15-26
…dedicated to inspiring a fascination in the Universe through research and education…
24-27 July 2006
…dedicated to inspiring a fascination in the Universe through research and education…
Academics
Postdocs/Researchers
Students
Support/Technical StaffYear
Mission Statement: “…dedicated to inspiring a fascination in the Universe through research and education.”
42
6.1
All About Us
• No undergraduate teaching in astronomy!
• Swinburne Astronomy Online (SAO)
• AstroTour: Virtual Reality Tours of the Universe
…dedicated to inspiring a fascination in the Universe through research and education…
• Fully online graduate degree program in astronomy by coursework (commenced worldwide in 1999)
• Nested program: Graduate Certificate of Science in Astronomy 4 UnitsGraduate Diploma of Science in Astronomy 8 UnitsMaster of Science in Astronomy 12 Units
• Not a training program for PhD astronomers:
Concentrates on the fundamental concepts & key issues in contemporary astronomy (rather than mathematical basis)
• 16 Units:
What is SAO?
Solar system; stars; galaxies; cosmology; history of astronomy; astrophotography; space exploration; debates in astronomy; computational astrophysics; etc.
…dedicated to inspiring a fascination in the Universe through research and education…
We aim to assess:• Overall conceptual understanding
• Identify and correct common misconceptions
• Grasp of detail• Demonstrate knowledge & understanding of course content
• Communication skills• Discuss basic principles/concepts in a non-technical way
understandable by the wider public
• Ability to research a topic (in astronomy) in depth
Learning Outcomes
…dedicated to inspiring a fascination in the Universe through research and education…
Hybrid delivery:• CD-ROM (~1500 animated PowerPoint slides per unit)• Textbooks• Internet links for further research
• Asynchronous newsgroup discussions
How Does SAO Work?
…dedicated to inspiring a fascination in the Universe through research and education…
Asynchronous newsgroup discussions • Different time zones + busy people!• 1 instructor and ~30 students• New newsgroups every 2 weeks • Students answer each others’ questions (‘active learning’)• Organised discussion threads (time to research and reflect on
answers)• Aids non-native English speakers to compose contributions• Instructor acts as “guide on the side” (promotes ‘active
learning’)
The Virtual Classroom
…dedicated to inspiring a fascination in the Universe through research and education…
Who Are We Teaching?
Amateur astronomers
Science school teachers
Science communicators
Individuals working in astronomy-related fields
Members of general public interested in astronomy
• ~230 students/semester
• ~35 countries
• Ages 16 to 78 (average ~41 yrs)
• 20% female and 80% male
30%
40%
…dedicated to inspiring a fascination in the Universe through research and education…
The Online Experience
Advantages• Suits part-timers and distance students• Encourages regular study instead of last-minute cramming• Newsgroups can be used to encourage participation by all • Saves on lecture theatres…
Problems?• Not face-to-face: good communication and feedback is vital• Danger of low retention rates: students need self-discipline &
motivation• Online not well-suited to some areas of study & perhaps some age
groups? But it seems to work very well in astronomy, and particularly with motivated life-long learners!
…dedicated to inspiring a fascination in the Universe through research and education…
“I really love the Swinburne approach to the astronomy for non-astronomy career folks. Slow paced classes, humor, and the focus on learning as opposed to cramming. Even the tests were great. I’ve NEVER taken a test before that was actually a learning experience, yet I’m finding that I’m learning a ton simply in the taking of these `assessments’.”
“The HET602 group are a terrific bunch, even though class is virtual. And the discussions and questions are imaginative and demand thinking caps. It’s more like the classic Greek form of tuition, with the course tutors and students sittinground a forum discussing the subject.”
FeedbackStudent feedback on each subject each semester• Quality of teaching • Student satisfaction
…dedicated to inspiring a fascination in the Universe through research and education…
• 1999: The Centre builds its Stereo Theatrette for scientific visualisation
• 3D Solar System proves popular with visiting dignitaries!
• A letter from an 8 yr old boy results in first 3D AstroTour
• Government funding to buy 3D glasses for school program
…dedicated to inspiring a fascination in the Universe through research and education…
Shutter Glasses
Unix on Alpha computer
CRT Projector
Shutter Glasses
Unix on Alpha computer
CRT Projector
Matthew Bailes
…dedicated to inspiring a fascination in the Universe through research and education…
Polarising Glasses
Linux on Intel PC
2 X DLP Projectors
Silver Screen
Polarising Glasses
Linux on Intel PC
2 X DLP Projectors
Silver Screen
OS-X on Apple G5
Sarah Maddison
…dedicated to inspiring a fascination in the Universe through research and education…
• Grade 3 (8-9 y.o.) to Year 12 (17-18 y.o.) + Public Shows
• Victorian Curriculum requirements
• ~1500 students per year
• Teacher Professional Development
Interactives
• Conceptual demonstrations• Solar System, Pulsar properties, Globular clusters
• Swinburne research results (+ supercomputer)• Pulsar Surveys, Magellenic Stream, Galaxy Formation
• Encourage questions as we go
…dedicated to inspiring a fascination in the Universe through research and education…
2004 After Stars2003The Little Things
2001 Elysium 72001
Do
cum
enta
ry
Sto
ry
…dedicated to inspiring a fascination in the Universe through research and education…
2005Spinning in Space
…dedicated to inspiring a fascination in the Universe through research and education…
Stereoscopic Video: Parkes
…dedicated to inspiring a fascination in the Universe through research and education…
Swinburne University
CosmoDream
Sydney Observatory
Parkes Observatory
Jodrell Bank Observatory
PapaloteMahidol
Wittayanusorn School
Installations
Worldwide, more than 250,000 visitors have seen our 3D shows
…dedicated to inspiring a fascination in the Universe through research and education…
Audience ResponseNo formal audience evaluation, however:
…fascinated and enthralled…the subject matter you discussed is just the kind of exciting, up-to- date material which will motivate my students…
Teacher Professional Development session
... the kids want to come back and see more!Secondary School Teacher
This is the second visit for me and I still don't know if I am more impressed with the way you can manipulate the display to make a point or just blown away with the information about the vastness of the universe.
Primary School Teacher
Students commented very positively - "inspired”…"I'll never see the night sky the same way again”…
P-12 School Teacher
…dedicated to inspiring a fascination in the Universe through research and education…
Faulkes Telescope
Australian education program
Virtual Milky Way
Supercomputer in the classroom
…dedicated to inspiring a fascination in the Universe through research and education…
Partners
Swinburne University RMITMonash UniversityMuseum VictoriaAdacel Pty Ltd
Associate Partner
University of Melbourne
8 Walls, 16 Projectors, 8 computers
Budget: ~US$2.5 million over 3 years(hardware + ~9 shows)
…dedicated to inspiring a fascination in the Universe through research and education…
Media ReleasesMedia coverage January 2000 to October 2003: 68 items
…dedicated to inspiring a fascination in the Universe through research and education…
Summary
Astronomy is fun!
Success of Swinburne Astronomy Online and AstroTour is partly due to the passion for the subject that our researchers can provide as they teach.
We have enjoyed the opportunities to share that passion worldwide.
astronomy.swin.edu.au/saoastronomy.swin.edu.au/astrotour
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